Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-09-01

were settling the matter Katie looked on
with apparent Indifference, but her heart
beat fast under her bodice, and when it
was decided she almost unconsciously
smiled with evident pleasure. Lars saw
it, and from that day jealousy began to
take root deeper and deeper in his heart,
and there was no lack of occasion to de-
velop it. Margrit Hermenson, Katie's
best friend, went to the altar to plight
her faith. Katy was chosen to carry the
wreath, accompanied by Cristoph. When
Lars heard of it he opposed it vehe
mentlv.
Both young men grew violent, and only
Katie's presence Of mind in declaring
she did not wish to go to the wedding
prevented perhaps the very worst out
break of Lars passionate storm of anger.
After that the two avoided each other as
muchpossible, but sought to be with Katie.
Each knew that the other loved the girl,
and both felt secretly conscious to whom
Katie's heart inclined. Cristoph, the
calmer and more self-possessed, felt a
silent, blissful happiness taking posses
sion of his heart when the girl looked at
him with her blue eyes SO sweetly and
kindly. Lars, more vehement, believed
at times that Katie loved him, her man
ner was always so cordial. But, again,
when he saw her with CristOph, a voice
within told him that he was not the
favored one, and he suffered bitter tor
ments. So it had gone on till the evening
when the young fishermen returned to
gether from the shore. Cristoph's heart
beat fast at the quiet, peaceful scene in
old Mason's cottage, and it drew him
back with irresistible power to leave a
greeting for the beloved one. But after
he had entered the hall, in his effort to
close the door, SO violently flung open by
the storm, he suddenly became conscious
of Katie in his arms. And while it ragged
and stormed without he kissed her, and
in wild happiness he whiswered: 'Katle,
do you love met" She did not answer,
but her lips pressed his.
The next morning Lars stood on the
shore mending his boat, when Rob
Steffel came by.
''You are early, though you came home
late. We're you with your sweetheart"
Lars looked at him, red with anger.
He struck the wood with his ak, and the
chips few far around.
'Hoho:" continued the other, "you did
not have good luck, it seems"
"Keep still'' cried Lars. "What is it
to you whether I had good luck or not?"
Rob Steffel stepped nearer. ''You are
unjust to me-" he said, A big fellow like
you should not take it so meekly. Cristoph
has plainly taken the fish away from
YOU"
Lars made no answer, but his hand
clasped the ak convulsively. "You and
have no love for Cristoph," continued
Rob; ''let us join together against him."
and he hello out his hand.
''I want nothing to do with you," re-
piled Lars, and turned away, resuming
his work.
Rob Steffel laughed scorntully, and went
away, but the sting that his words con-
tanned remained in Lars breast. When
the other was out of sight he flung down
his ak, and went back to the village.
Slowly, with downcast head he walked.
Before the house of ola Mason he paused,
then with a sudden resolution he entered
But, as If bound, he stood in the door
way-in the room stood Katie tenderly
embraced by Cristoph. A painful silence
prevailed for a moment, then CristOph
stepped toward Lars, put out his hand
and said:
f'Katie is my betrothed since last even
ing. [ intended to come directly to you
and tell you"
He did not answer, only bitter smile
quivered on his lips. 1t was excessively
painful to the girl. She felt what blow
she had given him, though blameless
herself. She longed to say something to
him, but could not find the right word.
So she only looked at him, and without
speaking held out her hand to him, but
he turned away and left the house.
Toward noon the shore was alive with
men. The sea cleaned in the sunshine
again, the waves played gently, and a
soft wind was blowing. The day was
favorable for a long haul. All the fisher |
men of the village were gathered togeth
er, the nets and oars were put into the
boats, the sails spread wide, and the little
fleet sailed far out into the broad, beauti- |
full sea. Katie stood on the shore, send
ing greetings to her sweetheart as long
as his boat was in sight. Then she went
home, smiling to herself. She had much
to do. After she had seen to her old
father, who sat quietly in his chair and
smoked short pipe, she went about her
work. How it few under her hands to-day, |
though frequently she stopped, gazing
down lost in sweet dreams. Then she |
worked so much the faster again. So |
hour after hour few by unheeded. At
last the days task was ended, and Katie
went to the door. But the weather had |
changed, the sun had disappeared behind
thick clouds, and the sky hung in gray |
folds over the sea. The fishermen also i
had finished their work. Their rich booty |
lay in the boats, promising fine reward |
for their hard labor. But in the east
it was black and threatening. They |
must reach home before the storm came |
on. The little sails spread out, the ships |
flew over the water, causing the foam to
break over the deep-dipping sides. Then
came the first blow strong against the
sails; the loaded boats threatened to up
set. The men were forced to take in
sails, and trust wholly to the oars. 1t grew
dark and the sea lifted itself restlessly
into huge, far-rollIng waves. Then the
storm broke loose with wild force; it
howled and dashed the sea till it reared |
in short, foam-capped waves. The men
rowed with all their might; the shore
could not be far away, though it was not
visible in the darkness. Ahead OF all |
the others shot Cristoph's boat; close be- :,
hind him was Lars. 1t seemed as if the |
two were running a race for the safety of